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Toyota Supra

The Toyota Supra was a spinoff of the Celica when it was first introduced. In fact, the car was called the Celica Supra before the Celica tag was dropped from the name. The Supra was a distinct improvement over the Celica, providing the power of an inline six-cylinder engine to the mix.

The Toyota Supra was discontinued in 1998 due to a drop in sales. As of 2012, rumors have flown that a new Supra is in the works, but no official announcement was made. Motor Trend reports that rumors of a 400 horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 hybrid power Supra is in the works and may be released in 2015. For a lot of Supra fans, this is welcome news, but reports are still hazy.

The Toyota Supra is still known as a desirable performance vehicle on the used market. The early models do not have as much to offer as the third generation, when the nameplate really started to come into its own. By the time the fourth and fifth generation models were released, the Supra was one of the best performance vehicles on the market during the 1990s.

The vehicle was and is a desirable car for car enthusiasts who like to tweak their engines into super powered monsters. The last Supra was made in the 1998 model year.

Toyota Supra Features

The first Toyota Supra was under the Toyota Celica name, which was released in 1979. The original model was based on the Celica hatchback. The Supra has a few differences, sporting a 2.6-liter inline six-cylinder and Toyota’s first electronic fuel injection. A 2.8-liter single overhead cam was introduced in 1981 with a four-speed automatic transmission option for those who didn’t want the five-speed manual.

The second generation Celica Supra was introduced in 1982. The new 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder was a bit more powerful, producing 145 horsepower. Two trim lines were available, although both vehicles shared the same engine and mechanics. The L-Type was the base model. The Performance version had fender flares, wider wheels, and better tires as well as sporty flashes. The second generation stayed the same throughout this run, although the horsepower was improved to 160 in 1984.

Toyota Supra Evolution

The Supra was introduced as its own, specific nameplate in 1986. This was because the Celica was changed to a front-wheel drive vehicle, while the Supra remained rear-wheel. A 3.0-liter engine with 200 horsepower was introduced, but some of the power was offset by the increase of weight; it was nearly 500 pounds heavier than the previous generation. A year later, a super-powered engine that produced 230 horsepower could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in about seven to eight seconds.

The fourth generation Supra was sold between 1993 and 1998 and saw a big increase in power and change in style. The nose sloped to make it more aerodynamic and the body was softer and curved. It was still a rear-wheel drive hatchback, however.

The base model had an impressive 3.0-liter, 24-valve, inline-six engine. This monster produced 220 horsepower with 215 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic were available. A Supra Turbo line was also introduced, which had an improved 3.0-liter that produced 320 horsepower. The car could go zero to 60 mph in around five seconds, a great improvement over the previous generation. The Turbo also had a sport tuned suspension system and 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels. A six-speed manual was also introduced at this time for greater control.

Few changes were made throughout the fourth generation run. The base model received greater power at takeoff because of an improved drive ratio. The Turbo had to give up the six-speed transmission in 1996 due to new regulations, but got it back in 1997 after a redesign. Big upgrades were given in 1997 as well.

If you are looking for a used version, these late model vehicles are a good choice. It’s very reliable as long as regular oil changes were made throughout the car’s lifetime. Resale on the Supra can be high because of its reliability and performance. Check the owner’s history before buying to ensure there weren’t any bad modifications made to the engine, which sometimes happens due to the adaptability. The third generation models do have a problem with blown gaskets if the oil was not regularly changed. Always check the owner’s records before purchasing a used Supra.

The Supra can be a speed demon’s dream. Heavily modified Supra models are used for racing throughout the world. A Supra model even performed in the All-Japan Grand Touring Championship and performed quite well.